HU, I've replied to old posts, sometimes the related questions that appear can be confusing and the date can be overlooked, it happens, I think many of us have done it, so don't worry about it. Thing is, if the original poster is no longer following and if other people looking for inspo are more likely to get advice by starting a question of their own than getting lost in an old discussion and if people willing to reply waste time reading through before noticing the question is 7 years old, and it brings it back to the first page making it more likely more people will mistake it for a recent discussion, I'm not sure how productive any of that is, so I appreciate the 'old post' advisory, and in that spirit since I've now added to the conversation I'll draw to others' attention that this is an OLD POST

Go on ebay or Zilch (free giveaway site) and look up Plants people either getting rid of Free or you can buy. Like someone above suggested, Agapanthers, English box, Yakkas are great for height, and so many people cut them back and then leave on front nature strip to help yourself. Same with a bird bath for the circular section, go on line for second hand.. I painted the outside of my house which had a Red brick European look which I hated, with a washed lime from Porters Paints. Only one coat is required as it's a wash. You need to dilute the paint down. I really painted it on really thin around windows and doors to give the impression of a different couloured brick as a feature. Honestly I'm 64 female and di it myself. Above are before This was just a normal pot plant. I waterproofed the inside. plank to hold the tub above, and you have a cheap water fountain. Since these I have planted all around the pot and have a water plant that sits in pot also. Sorry don't have a photo, Just want u to see you can paint your bricks if you choose to. The wire infront was to keep the dog out as I placed 3 bags chicken manure around before I planted.

I'd definitely leave the brick and the roof, it looks like a good, solid and classic house a and the front door would come up beautifully in a smarter colour. I'd paint your front door, gutters and garage door Dulux Monument and it would look fantastic, particularly with your brick and roof couloirs and that lovely sandstone. Then the gables in the same sandy colour as your posts, though if it's too yellow-creamy you could use a warm grey taupe like Dulux Dieskau. Replace the coach lights with a sleeker but still classic version like Beacon's Southhampton and an additional pair either side of the front door. Replace the urns with say 3 simple tubular pots of varying heights on the left side with some interesting crassula and rounded Japanese box. Trim your hedge right down and thin out to shoulder height. Not sure if you can replace the finials on your fence as this Victorian style doesn't suit your house and is a bit dated. Then rip out any ratty looking plants (poor roses always look ratty!) and replace with plants that are ideal for the aspect - if they're in the shade only put in clients that in part shade even magnolia little gem is versatile. Otherwise a lovely sweet viburnum will add softness and bright foliage. Plant mondo grass in the tall pot and remove the pew bench and rectangular planters and get a new small batch of fresh pebbles for between the square pavers. You could even put an interesting bench (or that pew) along the wall on the right of the front door, style it up with a couple of outdoor cushions (KMART even have some smart stripe ones). and finally get the roof cleaned but otherwise leave it! it's a great house, it won't take much to make it look really fresh and stylish.

Aesthetically, I think railing or similar is much more appealing than extending upward the ramp brickwork; however, changing colour will definitely improve visual of the existing walls. The pics siriuskey provided are very attractive. I like the idea of repeating the same style handrail as you have inside, as it lends consistency. Solid brickwork seemstoo heavy and chunky to me; a handrail will add elegance. Note: Do you need to worry about children attempting to climb the ramp walls (do code regs address this)?